> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Burgess [mailto:apt dot get at gmail dot com]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:05 AM
> To: Monowall User List
> Subject: [m0n0wall] OT: wireless PTP
>
> Definitely off topic here, and I know it's been discussed on
> the list in the past, but darn it, I know some of the
> smartest wi-fi folks in the world hang out here, and my
> internet searches keep coming up dry
> :)
>
> I need to set up a point-to-point wireless link, and just
> wondering the best way to go. Labour is not an issue, but
> price of parts should be <USD500. I need to tie a remote
> location to an existing internet connection. This will be a
> low traffic link, but should be able to sustain speeds of
> 3mbps for short bursts, and reliability is a must.
>
> Straight line distance from client to AP is 1.58 km (0.98
> miles), line of sight or near LOS (I can see client's roof
> among tree tops from tower at AP). Outdoor ambient temps will
> never exceed -45 C to 40 C.
>
> Some options I've considered:
>
> 1. Indoor Cisco/Linksys WRT54GL with Tomato firmware and an
> external directional antenna at both ends. Tomato supports
> client mode, allows setting the Tx power up to 251 mW,
> (although I'm not sure if I'd only be getting half that on a
> single antenna), and allows setting ack timing up to 99999 m,
> so this scenario is a theorical possibility from what I can
> tell. http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato/
>
> 2. Dedicated outdoor equipment, such as a pair of these from ubiquity:
> http://www.aerial.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=76_96&produc
ts_id=463
> More expensive than the tomato option, would something like
> this be more reliable? This one is rated -40 to 85 C, good
> enough for my purposes.
>
> 3. Any other suggestions? I looked at Motorola's PTP 200. I
> have great faith in their Canopy equipment, but at $4000 for
> a pair, it's a little outside my budget for this project.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts.
>
> db
>
David,
I have used all three and you should have no problem with either. I've
had some WRT54GL's running in an outdoor environment for over three
years without problems. I removed the circuit boards from the case and
installed the circuit board in the back of a Pacific Wireless panel
antenna with POE splitter. Works great. However, at this time, I have
found that the Ubiquiti NanoStations are hard to beat for price and
performance. You can get a pair of these for less than the WRT54GL's,
POE's and antenna's.
Mitch